Swords & Sonic Sorcerers: Ensiferum

IF THE PHOTOS don't tip you off, Ensiferum's name is Latin for "sword bearing," and the band does love the heavy metal.

But the group's music is self-described "heroic folk metal," and there is no better definition for the Finnish band's mixture of galloping Nordic rhythms, chugging distorted guitars and fantastical lyrics that sound like they're ripped from the "Kalevala," the country's epic folk poem.

Ensiferum is part of a small but strong collection of Finnish bands who have explored their country's long heritage, musically and lyrically, under the modern umbrella of metal. The 13-year-old group's latest CD, 2007's "Victory Songs" (Spinefarm), features action-packed epics ("Blood Is the Price of Glory," "Deathbringer in the Sky," "Raised by the Sword"), as well as a hit single in Finland ("One More Magic Potion").

But lest you think the songs are just the work of immature metalheads, Ensiferum is aware that dressing up as knights, singing about swords and banging their heads to "Ahti" — the Finnish god of the sea and fishing, who gets his own tune on "Victory Songs" — is kinda funny, but it's also a helluva lotta fun.

Ensiferum plays Jaxx on Oct. 21, and Express spoke with bassist-lyricist Sami Hinkka and founding guitarist Markus Toivonen about Nordic stories, "Dungeons and Dragons" and who would win a sword battle among the Finnish folk-metal bands.

» EXPRESS: Why do you think so many Scandinavian metal bands sing about their heritage, whereas, say, U.S. metal bands aren't singing about being Daniel Boone or stealing the country from Indians?
» HINKKA: We learn about our heritage in school but I wouldn't say that it's a big part of the mainstream culture nowadays. I really can't answer behalf of all metal bands but for Ensiferum traditional instruments and melodies are the main thing. Of course, folklore and beautiful Finnish nature inspire us also. Hopefully someday we will have a [live] show with at least some of those folk instruments for example kantele, nyckelharpa, recorder and so on. Maybe a 20th anniversary gig? Who knows?

» EXPRESS: Are your face paintings reproduction of Nordic war paints or are they original creations?
» HINKKA: [Laughs] No, they have nothing to do with Nordic war paints. I'm not absolutely sure when Markus and old members started using them but for me it is like a ritual before the show. One of those things that helps me get into the right mood.

» EXPRESS: In America, we have Civil War re-enactors. Are there events like this in Finland for Nordic sagas, and do any of you participate?
» HINKKA: I haven't heard about that kind of stuff in Finland but sounds like a fun idea!

» EXPRESS: Do you guys play "Dungeons and Dragons," or do you play online games like "World of Warcraft"?
» HINKKA: I play "WoW" on tours since there is usually a lot of spare time. Like on this tour I have read already three books and seen at least 10 movies. But on this tour we have focused on writing some new material so I haven't been so much online. First things first.

» EXPRESS: You are the main lyric writer for "Victory Songs." How did you go about writing the lyrics and do you do any research?
» HINKKA: I had lot of lyrics ready before we even had all the music for "Victory Songs" and same thing is now also when we write new material. I read pretty much. Not just fantasy stuff but, for example, Stephen King, Dan Brown, etc. On last few tours I've read "American Psycho" — much better than the movie — "Three Musketeers," "Kalevala" and I also like books by Finnish writer Esko Valtaoja. Of course, good movies can inspire to write. I think good lyrics — I am not saying that mine are [laughs] — are good metaphors.

» EXPRESS: I wanted your opinion on the nature of Finnish people as characterized by your former keyboardist : "We are so melancholic. It's so dark in the north. We are all pissed off of life in the north, in Finland. ... Nobody is happy in Finland. We are angry people. That's why there is so much heavy metal and dark music. It's our nature."
» HINKKA: Well, I'm not pissed off to live in Finland [laughs]. Of course, Finns are melancholic and quiet but I wouldn't say that we are angry or unhappy. Our ex-president just won the Nobel, so how angry a nation can we be?

» EXPRESS: And Finnish people also have good, extreme senses of humor. Do you see elements of humor in the band?
» TOIVONEN: Yes, of course. There is humor in the songs and live performances. Also everyone in the band has a good sense of humor. Even though we play metal and we love music, its still not a matter of life and death.

» EXPRESS: If there was a Finnish folk-metal sword battle, would win between Ensiferum, Finntroll, Turisas, Korpiklaani, Moonsorrow and Wintersun?
» TOIVONEN: Finntroll and Korpiklaani would fall before the battle begins, because they are too drunk. But I think Finntroll would beat Korpiklaani, because Korpiklaani guys are probably even more wasted.

Turisas guys are so slim that we can throw them away with one finger, except Hanu the bass player might need some stronger touch — on the other hand we never know if they are hiding some ninja skills. Also, their furs stink extremely awful, so that could be seen as a chemical warfare, which is illegal in folk-metal battlegrounds.

Wintersun, what kind of battle skills you can expect from the guys who have spent over two years to get one album recorded? And if they ever arrive to battlefield they will probably polish their armors until everyone else has left to tavern for a pint.

Moonsorrow would be the hardest opponent for us. Even though they also drink a lot and smell like a dead horse, we would have to face them in an epic fight. Keyboardist Lord Euren is maybe the strongest guy from Moonsorrow; he almost won when I had arm wrestling match with him few years ago, but the result was tie. On the other hand, I'm not the strongest man in Ensiferum.

So, all covered in sweat, tears and blood — or is that ketchup from yesterday hot dogs? — when almost everyone is ready to agree that it's a tie, we would use our ultimate weapon: out-of-tune singing. Moonsorrow guys would fall to the ground, ears bleeding, begging for mercy, and we would be the winners.

Result: It seems that this is quite easy battle for us. Unless Turisas attacks from the bush with their Samurai swords, or if we have drank everyone's booze secretly last night and we have terrible hangover.

» Jaxx, 6355 Rolling Road, Springfield; with Amon Amarth, Belphegor and The Absence Tue., Oct. 21, 7 p.m., $25; 703-569-5940.

Photos courtesy Ensiferum